Am I displeasing God?

Question

I am a non-practicing Catholic for almost 5yrs. now. This means that I attend a Christian/Baptist church.I know that christian practices are all bible based in which you should only believe in God as your Lord and savior. Now,
I have been interested in metaphysics by which almost all of its dynamics is the power of the mind and positive thinking. I have listened to a couple of audio cds from renowned hypnotherapist and pyschotherapist and their techniques are almost the same. One of which I always listen to even has a prayer that praises God and only God id the beginning and the end. I know for a fact that this is not pertaining to another dimensional being and after i listen to it I pray on my own--praise and worship, confession of my sins and thanking God after. I also listen to Joel Osteen's audio cds and there are similarities of which he mentioned about positive thinking and what you plant in your thoughts.for me it's plainly for guided visualization. Is this displeasing to God?

Answer 1

The Holy Bible and Christianity is VERY spiritual!
It says in so many words...see a vision before it happens...
God loves us. He likes to commune with us and so do the Holy Angels! It's Alllllll Gooooood!
Are you displeasing God?
Ask him by name...
Say "Jehovah, the Holy Father of Jesus Christ, please let me make you happy. Dispurse your holy grace to enstill all the actions and characters you want for me to emulate for your good glory and pleasure, in Jesus Christ's name. Amen"

Answer 2

I can't say 'yes' or 'no'. Only you can answer that. I can only give you some helpful self check questions.

In your 5 years experience and practice as a Christian how will you rate your understanding about God? How much of the Bible do you read? How much do you understand? How much of its truth and revelation do you experience? These questions will help you rate your faith in God and help you understand if you are displeasing God or not.

I believe that there is a big margin between positive thinking and Belief or Faith.

I'm a big fan of Joel Osteen and read a lot of his books which teaches about "positive thinking" as you call it. And it works in me because I believe what the Bible teaches about believing, prayer and faith. But I'm also a 'negative expectant' because God answers "NO" also if what we ask or tend to believe will harm us. There are things which we think are good but only God knows what is good for us so I prefer to believe on what the Bible says and what my conviction dictates.

I thank God when things works for me the way I believe them to be. And I thank Him more when He makes things the other way around different from what I expect and pray because He knows better than me and I know He loves me and has a better and perfect plan for me. Plan to bless me and not to harm me.

I hope this will help you. God bless you as you seek for the truth!

Answer 3

Are you displeasing God? Well what does God require of you? "...O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8 How does that fit your situation? Or "...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 22:37-39 Your life is an organic whole that cannot be divorced from anything you do or think. Examine your motivations. Also examine the truth claims of whatever enterprise you devote any energy to. What is behind them? Are the spiritual laws they proffer impersonal forces that can be manipulated by simply applying certain rules (e.g. The Secret)? God is a Person. He is Love. That means that He's very concerned. If you are one of His sheep, then chasing ANY other things that take you away from Him and not toward Him will mean that He's sad. In the way a parent is over a wayward child. You are not a robot. He's not going to force you to love Him with all of your heart. He wants your heart and He won't stop pursuing you until He has it. Challenge all of your assumptions. Christianity can stand up to the scrutiny. Ask why you believe something. If you do not, then your faith can be too easily shaken. Why do you do things the way you do. Examine and seek. I can tell you that God can tell the difference between immaturity (His kids who fail, but keep trying) and rebellion. Keep your heart open and seek Him! All other pursuits pale in comparison to your walk with the living God. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
Bless you on your journey.

Don+

Answer 4

I'm not really sure - but I did want to mention that, no matter how hard one tries, we are going to experience a lot of pain in our lives. The Bible tells us that its not all roses and daises after we accept Jesus into our lives. As a matter of fact, James tells us (James 1:2-4 or 2:2-4?) that its through the storms that we become closer to God.

I do suggest one thing - I would dump the Osteen tape. He preaches a Christian life that doesn't exist and which isn't intended. Its not about avoiding pain...its about seeking God through the pain and remembering His promises.

One more thought about this - do you remember in the book of Mark, when Jesus and the disciples are at sea and the waves come and the disciples cry out to Jesus? In the original Greek, Jesus tells them at the beginning of the passage that they will be crossing the sea. In its original intention, its taken as a promise - Jesus promises the disciples they'll make it across. The disciples become scared in the midst of the storm and forget His promise. When our storms come, we should do our best to be faithful and remember His promises to us.

Answer 5

This is hard. Sometimes the devil can use this - please pray to God/Jesus for direction. He will guide you on this. I will be praying for you. I don't always agree with Joel Osteen - He is not always biblical. If you are having reservations on this, it leads me to believe that you feel like you are sinning - and you may very well be - pray, pray, pray. Stay away from the tapes for a while and see how you feel then. Blessings dear one - I'll be praying for you.

Answer 6

Of course not. The bible tells us we must keep our thoughts positive and to think about only good things. There is power in our thoughts and I'm 100% positive that God is not against improving your well being.

Answer 7

I'm not sure but I do think you need to do a lot of praying about it. I do want to give you advise though. God doesn't love you by the works you do but by your relationship with him. If do all those things in vain they will do you no good. Just love him in your heart and talk to him often and he will show you right from wrong.

Answer 8

God is said to be a formless entity. If you remember Him you will be benefitted .Remember him in anyway that suits you. Church is supposed to be a place that is holy and help remembering HIm and help us remain calm for few moments.
Do that you like but remember HIm and also thank HImthat you have a nice mind and that you help others who are less fortunate.
God is great.
Good luck

Answer 9

We can not tell you if this dipleases God or not...we are not judges only he is...if you are feeling guilty then maybe the holy spirit is trying to convict you and show you what is wrong but if you feel this way because what everyone else is telling you then I would pray about it...

Answer 10

Just follow Jesus in your heart and he will let you know by your own convictions but I suggest that you seek Gods Face on a regular Basis.